Tropism of human pegivirus (formerly known as GB virus C/hepatitis G virus) and host immunomodulation: insights into a highly successful viral infection

Ernest T Chivero; Jack T Stapleton

doi:10.1099/vir.0.000086

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Tropism of human pegivirus (formerly known as GB virus C/hepatitis G virus) and host immunomodulation: insights into a highly successful viral infection

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Tropism of human pegivirus (formerly known as GB virus C/hepatitis G virus) and host immunomodulation: insights into a highly successful viral infection

Ernest T Chivero and Jack T Stapleton

Journal of general virology, Vol.96(Pt 7), pp.1521-1532

07/2015

DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.000086

PMCID: PMC5744597

PMID: 25667328

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Abstract

Human pegivirus (HPgV; originally called GB virus C/hepatitis G virus) is an RNA virus within the genus Pegivirus of the family Flaviviridae that commonly causes persistent infection. Worldwide, ~750 million people are actively infected (viraemic) and an estimated 0.75-1.5 billion people have evidence of prior HPgV infection. No causal association between HPgV and disease has been identified; however, several studies described a beneficial relationship between persistent HPgV infection and survival in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus. The beneficial effect appeared to be related to a reduction in host immune activation. HPgV replicates well in vivo (mean plasma viral loads typically >1×107 genome copies ml-1); however, the virus grows poorly in vitro and systems to study this virus are limited. Consequently, mechanisms of viral persistence and host immune modulation remain poorly characterized, and the primary permissive cell type(s) has not yet been identified. HPgV RNA is found in liver, spleen, bone marrow and PBMCs, including T- and B-lymphocytes, NK-cells, and monocytes, although the mechanism of cell-to-cell transmission is unclear. HPgV RNA is also present in serum microvesicles with properties of exosomes. These microvesicles are able to transmit viral RNA to PBMCs in vitro, resulting in productive infection. This review summarizes existing data on HPgV cellular tropism and the effect of HPgV on immune activation in various PBMCs, and discusses how this may influence viral persistence. We conclude that an increased understanding of HPgV replication and immune modulation may provide insights into persistent RNA viral infection of humans.

GB virus C - physiology

GB virus C - immunology

Immunomodulation

Humans

Leukocytes, Mononuclear - virology

Flaviviridae Infections - virology

Hepatitis, Viral, Human - virology

Leukocytes, Mononuclear - immunology

HIV Infections - complications

HIV Infections - mortality

Viral Tropism

RNA, Viral - isolation & purification

Exosomes - virology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Tropism of human pegivirus (formerly known as GB virus C/hepatitis G virus) and host immunomodulation: insights into a highly successful viral infection
Creators: Ernest T Chivero - Medicine Service, Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Interdisciplinary Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Departments of Internal Medicine and Microbiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
Jack T Stapleton - Medicine Service, Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Interdisciplinary Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Departments of Internal Medicine and Microbiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of general virology, Vol.96(Pt 7), pp.1521-1532
DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.000086
PMID: 25667328
PMCID: PMC5744597
NLM abbreviation: J Gen Virol
ISSN: 0022-1317
eISSN: 1465-2099
Grant note: I01 CX000821 / CSRD VA I01 BX000207 / BLRD VA
Language: English
Date published: 07/2015
Academic Unit: Microbiology and Immunology; Infectious Diseases; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984094526902771

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